Multiple-voltage controller.



. E. w. STULL & G. B} SGHLEY.

-MULTIPLE VOLTAGE CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30, 1909.

992,289. Patented May-16,1911.

UNITED s rATEs PATENT OFFICE.

EMMETT W. STULL AND GEORGE B. SGHLEY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO ALLIS-GHALMERS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MULTIPLE-VOLTAGE CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 30, 1909. Serial No. 520,313.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that we,-EMMET1 \V. STULL and Gnoucn B. SoHLn'Y, citizens of the .United States, and residents of .Milwaukee,

control.

One of the most efiicient ways to control an electric motor is by changing its armature connections from one set of mains to another of a multiple voltage system. It has heretofore been customary in multiple voltage controllers to break the armature circuit when such a change is made, in order to prevent a shortcircuit between any two of the multiple voltage mains. Such interruption ofthe armature circuit is sometimes undesirable. upon a change of the armature connections from one set of mains to another of either higher or lower voltage, there is a tendency to produce excessive surges of current through the armature. In order to prevent these surges of current it has been proposed to insert a resistance in series with the armature for a while after sucha change in thearmature connections is made.

It is the object of our present invention to provide a" multiple voltage controller, by which a motor armature or other translating device may be changed from one set of mains to another of a multiple voltage system without breaking the armature circuit, without danger of short-circuiting any two of the mains, and without producing excessive surges of current in the armature upon either increase or decrease of the impressed voltage.

Our invention comprises a multiple voltage controller which is arranged to connect a translating device across different sets of mains of a multiple volt-age system, to change the translating device'from one set of mains to another without interrupting its circuit, and to connect a resistance in series- With such device upon making such achange either to increase or. to decrease the impressed voltage. In its preferred form, our controller is of the drum type, and n connect the translating device across any Moreover, Y

set of mains of a multiple voltage system and change it from such set to another set in the manner described above. In the form illustrated, a manually variable resistance is connected in series with the translating device when the latter is changed from one set of mains to another of higher-voltage, and a resistance which is subsequently auto matically cut out is connected in series with such device when it is changed from one set of mains to another of lower voltage. In the arrangement shown this latter resistance is cut in by raising one of the fingers of the controller as the latter in its'baclnvard movement passes certain positions.

Other features of our invention will appear hereinafter. t

Figure 1 is a view showing a part oi? a controller embodying our inventionr and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical connections of such controller.

The controller drum 10, mounted on a shaft 11, as here illustrated has nine operative positions and is divided into two electrical sections let and 15, each of these sections having a number of electrically con nected contact segments 16 thereon. These segments of the controller cooperate with the contact fingers 17 to 26 inclusive. The upper and lower contact fingers 17 and 26 respectively are connected to the two terminals of the armature 27 of the motor A to be controlled. Fingers 18 and 25 are connected respectively to the two mains 29 and 30 and finger 22 is connected to the main Q9 of a multiple voltage system. In the threewire multiple voltage system here illustrated, the voltages are 90, 160, and the sum of these two, 250, as usual. Connected to the. contact fingers 18, 19, and 20 is a sectional resistance 31, while a similar resist- 34:. A main switch 35 controls the circuits of the motor and the controller. The strength'of the field winding 33 may be regulated by a rheostat 36, which,-if desired, may be combined with the controller 10.

Patented May 16, 1911.

Mounted on the-shaft 11 of the cont-roller are two arms 38 and 39, one or the other of which when the controller shifts the motor armature from one set of mains to another engages a finger i0 hinged to one end of a lever il pivoted at et2. A rod 43, connected to the opposite end of the lever 41, is con nected to the piston of a dash-pot et-t pivoted on a fixed support 4:5. A spring a6 tends to hold this 1\(i1.-fl1 against a stop 46. A. link +t7 connects one arm of the lever 41 and one end of another lever 48 which is pivoted at a point 49.. Located at the other end of said lever i8 is the contact finger 22, the movement of which is controlled by the action of the arms 38 and 39 and the dashpot 44.

"respectively,

The operation of the controller is as follows: When the drum 10 is moved into position 1, the switches 34 and 35 being closed, the motor armature 27 is connected between the mains 29 and 30 with the entire resistance 32 incircuit. The motor now starts. As the controller is moved to positions 2 and 3 respectively, the two sections of the resistance 32 are cut out of circuit successively. In position 3, the first running position of the controller, the armature 27 has impressed thereon the full 90 volts between the mains 29 and 30. As the controller is moved from position 3 to position at, the contact fingers 20, 21, and 22 are first connected together, thus connecting the mains 28 and 29 together through the" entire resistance 31. This connection lasts only for an instant, as immediately thereafter the contact fingers 21 and 22 break connection with the segments with which they had at first engaged. About this time the resistance 32 is again included in the armature circuit. The motor armature is now momentarily connected across the high voltage outside mains, but both resistances 31 and 32 are fully in circuit and prevent the impressing of a too high voltage on the 'motor armature.

21, 22, and 23 are connected by the drum section 15, thus connecting the mains 29 and30 together through the entire resistance 32. Immediately, however, the contact finger 23 is disconnected from the drum 15. Thus in position at the motor armature is connected between the mains 28 and 29 with the entire resistance 31 in circuit therewith. As the drum'is moved to positions 5 and (3 the two sections of the'resistance 31 are successively cut out. In position 6, the second running position of the controller,

the full 160 volts the armaturehas impressed thereon between the mains 28 and 29. As the controller is moved from position 6' to position 7, the contact fingers 21, 22,

- and23 are again momentarily connected together to connect the mains 29 and 30 Immediately, however, the contact fingers 21 and 22 Next, the fingers leave the segments of drum section 15 with which they had been in engagement in position 6. The motor armature 27 is now connected between the outer mains 28 and 30 with the full resistance 32 in circuit. As the controller is moved into positions 8 and 9 respectively, the two sections of resistance 32 are again successively cut out of circuit. In position 9, the third and 12st running position of the controller, the armature 27 has impressed thereon the full 250 volts between the outer mains 28 and 30. As the controller has been moved through these positions 1 to 9 the motor armature circuit has not been interrupted, short-circuiting of the mains of the multiple voltage system being prevented by means of resistances 31 and 32. During the backward movement of the controller, the reverse of the operation just described takes place, with the exception that the resistance 37 comes into service. When the controller moves from position 7 to position 6, orfrom position 4; to position 3, the arm 39 or 38 engages the finger 40 and through it moves the levers t1 and i8 against the action of the spring 46 to lift the contact finger 22 away from its cooperating segments on the controller drum. The dashpot 44 is so constructed that it does not retard this movement of the levers. The lifting of the contact finger 22 away from the controller drum breaks. the shortcircuit around the resistance 37 causing current to flow through the resistance '37 instead of through such short-circuit. The insertion of this resistance 37 into the motor armature circuit prevents any excessive surges of current through the armature because of the generator action of the latter as it is changed from a set of mains of higher voltage to a set of mains of lower voltage. \Vhen the controller has fully reached position (3 or position 3, the arm 39 or 38 passes out of engagement with the finger -10, and the spring 16 begins to move the contact finger-22 to ward engagement with its cooperating contact on the controller drum. The dash-pot retards this movement of the contact finger 2 until it has nearly reached the controller drum, when a by-pass in the dash-pot allows the finger to engage the drum segment with a snap. The resistance 34 is only cut into circuit during the backward movement of the controller, as during the forward move-' ment of the controller the finger 40 swings about its hinge when .cngage'd bythe finger 38 or 39, and does not transmit motion to the lever 41 and through it to the contact fin-' suit the requirements ofany particular sys-. tern. Also any desired number of motors may be simultaneously controlled. .-,-\M any other modifications can be made in.

the 'precise arrangement shown and .de-

scribed, and all such which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of our lnventron we arm to cover in the following What we claim as new is:

1.1In'a ,-mult1ple voltage controller, the

combination of cooperating fixed and. movable members arranged to connect a transto another'withoutinterrupting the circuit,

a resistance, and means mechanically operated by; a movement of the 7 controller whichchanges the connections of such translating device from one set ofthe multiple voltage mains to another set of lower voltage, to insert such resistance in series with the device between it and the lower voltage mains.

" vice, multiple voltage mains, a resistance,

2. In a system of control, a translating deand a controller comprising cooperating fixed and movable members arranged to connect said translating device to different sets of said multiple voltage mains and to change the connections of such device from one set of such mains to another without interrupting the circuit, and means mechanically operated by a movement of the controller which changes the connections of such translating device from one set ofthe multiple voltage mains to another set of lower voltage to insert such resistance inseries with the device between it and the lower voltage mains.

3. In a multiple voltage controller, the combination of a drum, contact segments mounted on said drum, contact members cooperative with said segments, said controller :ranged to connect a translating device to Terent sets of multiple voltage'mains and to change the connections of such device from one set of such mains to another without interrupting the circuit, a resistance, and means mechanically operated by a movement of the controller which changes the connections of such translating device from one set of the multiple voltage mains to another set of lower voltage to insert such resistance in series with the device between it and the lower voltage mains.' 4

l. In asystem of motor control, a motor, multiple voltage mains, a resistance, a lever arrangement for cutting in and out said resistance, and a controller arranged to change the connectionsvof the motor armature from one set ofmains to another of lower voltage I while maintaining thecontinuity of the circuit of said armature and as such change is being made to nsert, by means of said lever arrangement, said resistance temporarily in the armature circuit and in'series with the main to which an armature terminal is being changed.

5. In a multiple voltage controller, the combination of cooperating fixed -and'mov able members arranged to connect a trans lating device to any set of mains of a multiple voltage system and to change the conmotions of such device from one set of such mains to another without interrupting the circuit, a resistance, and means mechanically operated by a movement of the controller which changes the connections of such translating device from one set of the multiple voltage mains to another set of lower voltage to insert such' resistance in series with the device between it and the lower voltage mains.

6. In a multiple voltage controller, the combination of cooperating fixed and movable members arranged to connect a translating device to any set of mains'of a multiple voltage system for rotation inthe, samedirection, and to change the connections of such device from one set of such mains to another without interrupting the circuit, a resistance, and means mechanically operated by a movement of the controller which changes the connections of such translating device from one set of the multiple voltage mains to another set of lower voltage to insert such resistance in series with the device between it and the lower voltage mains.

7. In a system of motor control, the combination with a multivoltage supply circuit, a motor, a resistance, mechanically operated means governing said resistance, of a controller constructed and arranged to changethe connections of the motor armature from any set of mains of said supply circuit to an:

other without interrupting the circuit of troller mechanically cooperating with said member, said controller being constructed and arranged to change the connections of the motor armature from any set of said mains to another and as such change is made between which an armature terminal is being changed. Y

9. In a motor controller, a system of levers, a contact finger adapted to be effected only in one direction of'motor rotation, the initial movement of said finger being controlled by said system, a dash-pot, and a member arranged to cooperate with said system for transmitting motion to said con to insert said resistance between those mains tact finger, said dash-pot being so= constructed as to ermit movement of the contact finger free y in one direction but to retard movementin the other direction.

10. In combination with an electric motor, of a resistance, lever operated means for connecting said resistance in series with the motor-armature whenever the motor oper ates temporarily as'a generator, means for short-circui-ting said resistance, and retarding mechanism'for the short-circuiting means.

1'1. In a controller, the combination of a member, a contact finger, the movementof which controlled by said-member, a reeeaese tarding device, and means arranged to co operate cttectively only in one direction, with said member for transmitting motion to said contact finger, said retarding device being so constructed as to permit movement of the contact finger freely in one direction but to retard movement in another direction. Milwaukee, Wis, August 20, 1909.

, In testimony whereof \ve atfix our signatures, in the presence of two Witnesses.

- EMMETT WV. STU'LL.

GEORGE B. SCHLEY. I \Vitnesses CHAS. L. BYRON, Ron. E. S'roLL. 

